Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-05-04
A wiee coon.


a pet coon may be seen any day on
the side walk in front of Doran & Rob-
erts livery barn. The animal never en-
joyed anything more than country
school education, hut it has picked up
knowledge of various things, and
knows Of everything that is transpir-
ing IN the town. 1t Will answer by a
shake of the head "yesn or mo- any
question to which either answer is ap-
pFopriate; and by system of scratch
es. in the dirt, it can make Its meaning
understood on ordinary subjects. The
daily routine for one of the INDEX
force is to pass the stable and the coon
four times day in his return from or
going to breakfast, dinner and supper,
and he has learned to understand the
coon and the two frequently have ex-
tended interviews.
This week the coon was noticed in
the act Of soaking its bread in pan of
water before attempting to eat it, to
make it soft. Then some one put a
biscuit out of reach of the fore paw of
the coon and it deliberately backed up
to the object and stretching its body
considerably extended hind foot and
''yanked in the bun.'
The reporter asked the coon a mum
Der of questions which it answered
promptly, but whether correctly or not,
we can't say. For instance: The re
porter asked: lis it your impression
that prohibition is success in Medi-
cine Lodge?"
"Not by blamed sight, :" he scratch
ed in the dirt.
How many places are selling in
town ?" was the next question.
Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch,
scratch, went his paws, and the re-
porter understood the number to be
five.
''IIow many places are wide open
and selling in Kiowa ?" asked the re-
porter.
Here followed a system of scratches
that extended nearly around the post
TO which the coon was tied. A count
revealed exactly twenty-four marks on
the ground. At this point the coon
was observed to lean against the post
and with its fore paws wipe away a
Hood of tears that were pouring from
its eyes.
what is the matter with you now 2"
the scribe asked.
I'm uaoninv haoo,,eo Y;,,,.. :: A.
favored over my own dear town, and
because here we must sneak around
like thieves to get cur drinks, while
there everything is open and above
board"
why is it that Kiowa can run open?''
the reporter asked.
Its people are on to the ropes" re-
piled the coon, and then the sly animal
winked in the most knowing way.
No amount of persuasion, proffered
cigars, chew of tobacco, or even
promise never to reveal the secret,
would induce the coon to explain what
1t meant by ION to the ropes, and O the
reader, like the reporter, must remain
lii DARKNESS.
docs it take money to get on to the
ropes ?" the newsgatherer asked.
you BET, !" scratched the coon in
letters two feet long, and then sudden
ly looking around and lodging as if
from an expected kick, the coon, placed
its paw over its mouth as much as if to
say, 'I'm dumb" and the interview
ended.
Zone more question:" suggested the
reporter. ''Were you full the night
you were at McCandless' house?'
That's what was-full as a goose
and l painted the town red. You
see strict prOhibitionist had hidden
a bottle in one of the managers in the
stable, and l stole it and became beast
ly intoxicated, and didn't know until /
read it in the INDEX how much sheol
raised that night. But 1 am now re-
formed"